The Italian welcome is as warm and traditional as a glass of fine wine. This comparison is apt, for travelers in ancient times gave the country its first name: Land of Wines. Italians are such good hosts because they get so much practice welcoming visitors from all over the world.

In summer, Italy is an international playground, with visitors from all continents mingling with vacationing Italians at the famous resorts. Spring comes early to Italy and autumn lingers - and so will the wise traveler who wants to enjoy at a more leisurely pace the art centers, the large cities and the holiday resorts such as those in the Lombardian lake region where spring and fall are ideal seasons.

In winter, the Italian Alps are unequaled for scenery and skiing. In northern Italy are some of the world's most renowned winter sports resorts, easily reached from such centers as Torino, chief city of the westernmost Piemonte region; from Milano, hub of the central mountain and lake district; and from Venezia, leading city of the eastern region.

Italy offers enormous variety in its natural scenery and historical backgrounds. Because a good part of Italy grew up as a collection of independent city-states, customs and food vary greatly from region to region. This rich history is preserved in the colorful folklore festivals that take place in all of Italy's regions throughout the year.

Most of the year the beaches are sunny, with 5,310 miles of shoreline bordering Italy and its islands. You can usually find waters where the temperature is right for swimming. And history is always in season: choose any time of year to tour historic buildings and view the world's greatest art treasures, for this is a land that has been writing and preserving its history for over three thousand years.

country highlights
Battistero di San Giovanni (The Baptistry)
The oldest building in the city (6th century).

Duomo di Firenze (Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore)
The towering dome of the Duomo di Santa is one of the largest cathedrals in the world, the building was begun in 1296.

Ponte Vecchio
Joining Florence with Oltrarno is the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge. A bridge has spanned this narrowest part of the river since Roman times; this Ponte Vecchio dates from 1345.

Galleria Corsini
This baroque palazzo contains the most significant private collection in Florence works by Lippi, Raphael, Hans Memling, Andrea del Sarto, and others. Visits are by appointment only.

Tropea
The medieval town has a prehistoric museum (actually the entire area is a archaeological treasure).

Is Italy Safe?
The people throughout Italy are very friendly and are always willing to help. Do however be cautious and well aware of your personal space at all times. As elsewhere in Italy, pickpockets are a menace, especially in crowds, on buses, and near the train station. Never let someone you do not know watch your luggage and never accept rides from anyone other than official taxi drivers.

Remember: you are in another country with a different set of social rules and regulations. What might be acceptable at home is not necessarily acceptable abroad. Ask questions and find out more about your city. Learn to adapt to different cultures and customs, part of your study abroad experience is to learn more about the world around you, be open and friendly.

What is the local currency?
The Euro.

Are a passport, visa, or vaccinations necessary?
Citizens of the United States and Canada in possession of a valid US or Canadian passport, are not required to obtain a visa for Italy for a period of up to three months if traveling as a tourist.

In case that a stay of more than three but less than six months is intended, a visa is required. If you are a resident of the U.S. but do not hold U.S. citizenship, a visa may be required.

Visitors from the U.S./Canada do not need inoculations.

How do you get there from here?
There are two airports, though only one, Galileo Galilei Airport near Pisa, handles international flights; a fast train, coordinated with flights, connects with Florence (one hour). Amerigo Vespucci Airport, outside Florence in the suburb of Peretola, takes smaller domestic and charter flights.

However, one of the most convenient international arrivals to Florence is via the Rome Airport, where you are transferred onto a special train for Florence that leaves from the airport (not the city center).

Nearly all the main line Trains pass through Florence's Santa Maria Novella Station, so there's no difficulty making rail connections.

What is the weather like?
Tuscany is not far enough south to banish winter frosts, but such cold is unusual. Damp, if not terribly cold in the winter Florence has an average low of 2C (35F) high of 9C (48F) in January; it's most inviting in May, June, and September when the temperatures aren't extreme. July and August can be very hot with temperatures averaging between 18C (65F) and 31C (87F) in July, but basically dry with some thunderstorms.

Will my electrical gadgets work?
Electric current in Italy is 220 volts AC at 50 Cycles per second. To operate small appliances, laptop computers or other electronic gadgets, you will need a multi-adapter (though the rounded two-pronged plug is common in Italy, so are a number of other). Check with a large electronics store in your area. Electric clocks, record players and tape recorders will not work properly even on converters because they use the 60 Cycle American/Canadian standard.

What is the best way to phone home?
There are numerous public phones around Florence, which use phone cards and/or coins. All these phones can be used for both local and long distance phone calls. Magnetic phone cards are available from machines and over the counter in denominations of 5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 lire.

It is also smart to obtain an overseas phone card (they are usually free-of-charge) from your long distance carrier, such as MCI, AT&T or Sprint. MCI's Worldphone Program, for example, lets you phone the US/Canada from Italy or any other European countries at greatly reduced rates from what you would pay from the regular hotel charge. The long distance carrier will give you a special number to call when placing your call.

What major holidays are there in Italy?
New Year's Day (1 January), Epiphany (6 January), Easter Monday (March or April; date varies), Liberation Day (25 April), Labor Day (1 May), Feast of the Assumption (15 August), All Saints' Day (1 November), National Unity Day (5 November), Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 December), Christmas Day (25 December), and the Feast of St. Stephen (25 and 26 December).